BISD offers inclusive playgroup

Comment

The Daily Reporter - Coldwater, MI

Writer

Posted Feb. 6, 2013 at 5:30 AM

Posted Feb. 6, 2013 at 5:30 AM

Coldwater, Mich.

By Christy Harris-Hart

charris@thedailyreporter.com

COLDWATER —The Branch Intermediate School District has partnered with organizations throughout Branch County to provide parents and children aged birth to 6 years the opportunity to develop as individuals and families.

With the Family Success Program, parental education is provided.

"This is beneficial to our parents," said Linda George, coordinator of Early Education Services and Head Start director. "Very experienced people have done work with lots of families over the years,"

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. an inclusive play group for all abilities is offered at the Fremont Street Early Education Center at 95 S. Fremont St. in Coldwater. Additionally, on the last Tuesday and Thursday of each month hearing and vision screenings are offered free of charge.

During the play groups, parents are provided with "Answers to parenting questions, information and ideas about child development," George said.

"This is a community play group where children can learn to play together. We evaluate the children to see how they interact with other children and how they do at snack time," said Beach.

The play group also allows parents to network and socialize. Many parents are single parents or stay-at-home parents and socializing with adults is a welcome pastime.

"We've been coming for a while. It gives my daughter a chance to communicate with kids her own age," said Britnee, a Coldwater mother. "It also gives me a chance to breathe."

"This is our very first time," said Marci, mother of 2-year-old Aurora. "I heard about it from my friend who has been coming here for a while. She said it was a good place to socialize and will provide structure."

Many parents were in attendance for the Tuesday session of play group, several with children under the age of 3.

Among the parents was a father.

Jeff from Coldwater said, "We've been coming here for about seven months. It gives my daughter a chance to play with other kids — lets her socialize — it gives me a chance to network with other parents."

Parents also have the choice to select a home visitor. The home visitors are experienced professionals whose responsibility is to provide parents with the same parenting guidance as offered in the play group.

"We service the Branch County area," said Tia Tobolske, Early On program service coordinator. "They must qualify for Early On through a developmental delay, but anyone can call with questions and we offer a free developmental assessment that's done at the home. At this visit we will see if they qualify and get them hooked up with services they need."

Page 2 of 2 - In 2000, grant money was supplied to the Branch ISD Head Start for parental education services. The grant funds lasted for a few years and since then organizations such as the Branch County United Way, Department of Human Services, Michigan Department of Education and the BISD have continued to fund the program.